October marks that time of year when Starbucks releases its famous pumpkin spice latte and wearing a costume is the norm. Although San Diegan weather allows for a light sweater every other week, we looked forward to the smell of nutmeg and cinnamon spice in the air. A time to carve pumpkins and watch old scary movies with family and friends. October also brought Balboa Park’s Annual Haunted Trails. Enter the mile long Trail through the twisted grove of pines and gnarled oaks. The Haunted Trail is a stroll through the park you will never forget.

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), also referred to in America as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.

Breast cancer awareness month is a yearly campaign that intend educate people about the importance of early screening, test and more. This campaign starts on October 1st and ends on October 31st every year.

To celebrate and commemorate those lost, Reality Changers took strides forward with the American Cancer Society. Each year a band of dedicated volunteers organize its annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Balboa Park . This event unites communities and raising money to fund breakthrough breast cancer research, provide free information and support, and help people reduce their breast cancer risk or find it early when it may be more treatable. Supporters and participants were decked out in pink and uplifted spirits. The event welcomed over 28,000 people and this year raised $650,000 to help create a world without breast cancer. Reality Changers cheered on walkers with chants and some dance moves. A huge thank you to the American Cancer Society for organizing a great event.

During this month, we complete two hikes with the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. Our work along the watershed continues with our final hike in Crest Canyon. For more on our environmental conservation efforts check out blog from last month.

With over 400 hours completed so far this year, our youth continue to grow their civility and give back toward a cleaner and safer San Diego. In November, we look forward to more races, clean-ups, and homeless relief project. For more on Reality Changers’ community service events and what we are doing in the community, visit the calendar on our website at RealityChangers.org. For current posting on our community service weekends visit us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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About Reality Changers

REALITY CHANGERS transforms lives by providing youth from disadvantaged backgrounds with the academic support, financial assistance, and leadership training to become college graduates.

Since 2015, about 8% of this project has been funded in part with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the City of San Diego.